I went a similar route with our old NuTone system, but I'm not a fan of the always-on microphones and I wanted to have the ability to control everything in our smart home, so I went with refurb iPads. The 6 wire cable already in the wall is sufficiently rated to power USB, so I:
Removed each station and cut a LARGER hole in the wall to fit an ipad mount from https://www.iwalldock.com/ (no need to patch--just follow the cutout). This mounts flush to the wall vertically or horizontally. You can find cheaper mounts on Amazon. I just wanted something that was flush and well-constructed so that I could use it over time.
Installed a 100W - 24V Meanwell supply (specially, the HRP-450-12), 3 amp in-line fuses (x8 for my setup) and a pair of terminal blocks in the basement where the former NuTone system was connected and powered.
Installed an iPad Air Gen 1 in the wall mount. I used the Air 1 because it is the same size as later generations of the iPad, so it is an easy drop-in replacement if I want to upgrade in a few years.
Used a 24V DC to 5V DC step down converter to power the units.
Connected two wires to the converter and the MeanWell supply with an inline 3 amp fuse for each station.
Total project:
Each Station: $35 Mount or $180 iWalldock mount + $50 iPad Air + $5 DC/DC Converter. $90 or $235 Total
$50 MeanWell Supply, $36 Blue Sea Systems ST Blade ATO/ATC Fuse Block (8 capacity) + $40 Terminal Blocks (for 2). $126 Total.
Each iPad now includes apps for weather and all of our smart home controls. Each station took me about 20 minutes to install start to finish (removing the old station, cutting a bigger hole in the drywall, installing the power and the mount, powering up the iPad).
Happy to provide more details and photos for anyone interested.
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countertops - white on blue island, dark on white wall cabinets backsplash - white subway tile floor - light wood
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